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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Matt Maltby

Samir Nasri set to be axed by Anderlecht after going AWOL during coronavirus lockdown

Anderlecht are reportedly preparing to sack Samir Nasri after the French midfielder neglected to inform the club of his movements during the coronavirus outbreak.

The former Arsenal and Manchester City star flew to Dubai but failed to let the Jupiler Pro League side know, according to Belgian outlet Derniere Heure.

Club regulations have set out that players must report their movements and every player apart from 32-year-old Nasri has done so.

The two-time Premier League winner was given the chance to revive his career by former City teammate Vincent Kompany, who was acted as player-manager at Anderlecht until last August.

Nasri was banned for 18 months after receiving a prohibited intravenous drip treatment in Los Angeles while on-loan at Sevilla from City.

Anderlecht are reportedly preparing to sack Samir Nasri (Getty Images)

An underwhelming spell at West Ham United ended with the former France international being released from the London Stadium before being brought to the Lotto Park by Kompany.

He continued to struggle for form and fitness, scoring just two goals in eight appearances before succumbing first to a hamstring injury in October and then an abductor muscle tear.

Nasri’s contract was due to expire this summer but Anderlecht had the option to extend his stay for a further year.

Nasri during his successful spell in the Premier League with Arsenal (AFP/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, the Jupiler Pro League was the first major European division to be cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak. Runaway league leaders Club Brugge were declared champions without having to win the title via the play-off system due to their 15-point lead at the summit of the table.

Anderlecht were eighth in the league when play was suspended after struggling through a difficult season.

Kompany stepped down from his managerial responsibilities in August after the Brussels-based club suffered their worst start to a campaign since the 1998-99 season. Former Wales international Simon Davies took over as manager and Kompany was given the armband.

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